ACCR's O'Brien on a Revival of Australian Shareholder Activism

The video discusses the evolving landscape of decarbonisation in Australia, highlighting the shift in corporate and investor attitudes towards more sustainable practices. It examines the role of government policies, particularly the Labor Party and Australian Greens, in shaping the future of decarbonisation. The video also addresses the increasing pressure on boardrooms to adopt aggressive decarbonisation strategies and the role of investors in driving accountability. Additionally, it explores the legal and regulatory scrutiny faced by companies accused of greenwashing, emphasizing the need for courts to intervene in disputes.

What was the main reason for blocking AGL's demerger according to major shareholders?

• Lack of short-term profits

• Concerns about long-term shareholder value and decarbonisation

• High operational costs

• Insufficient market research

What is the Australian government's stance on decarbonisation in the export sector?

• Completely ignored

• Not as attentive as domestic decarbonisation

• Moderately prioritized

• Highly prioritized

How might the Australian Greens influence the political landscape in terms of decarbonisation?

• By holding the balance of power in the upper house

• By forming a coalition with the Labor Party

• By opposing all government policies

• By focusing solely on economic growth

What is expected of board directors in terms of decarbonisation strategies?

• To aggressively pursue decarbonisation

• To ignore shareholder concerns

• To maintain the status quo

• To focus on short-term profits

How are shareholders influencing corporate governance regarding decarbonisation?

• By selling their shares

• By using remuneration votes and protest votes

• By ignoring board decisions

• By focusing on other industries

What role do courts play in addressing ESG concerns?

• They have no role

• They provide legal and fiduciary strategies

• They only focus on criminal cases

• They support all corporate decisions

What is the main allegation against Santos by ACR?

• Labor law violations

• Financial mismanagement

• Greenwashing

• Tax evasion